Bodelwyddan Castle

After our visit to Rhuddlan Castle, we then went to visit Bodelwyddan Castle. This was a very different building, more modern looking, more complete than the ruins we had visited earlier.

Bodelwyddan Castle is also close to Rhyl, in the village of Bodelwyddan. The village has over 60 listed buildings, including the castle. The castle was built around 1460 as a manor house and is now mainly used as a Hotel and Art Gallery.

There is lots to do outside the castle. It didn’t take the girls long to find some giant garden games. Emily just wanted to play giant Connect Four her own way, and didn’t want any explanation of the rules. Freyja was excited by the garden chess set, and recognised it from wizard chess in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. I reassured that garden chess wasn’t quite as brutal as wizard’s chess and tried to explain how to play. She struggled to remember how all the pieces moved, and then got a bit cross when I took a few of her pieces with my queen, so we decided to abandon the garden games and do something else.

We soon discovered a brilliant outdoor play area which kept the girls entertained for a while. There was also a maze, orchard, walled gardens and a woodland walk. We were really lucky to be able to see a deer whilst we were walking through the woods. After a lovely lunch in the cafe, and rather overcast skies, we went inside the castle. Inside, were plenty of very knowledgeable guides who were more than happy to tell you more about the portraits on display. What I particularly liked was that in every room there was something to keep the children entertained, so parents could spend a bit more time discovering more about the room. The girls were particularly drawn to a very nice wooden tea set, and we were provided with endless cups of tea and cake.

Upstairs was a selection of Victorian-style clothes to dress up in. Although they were far too big for her, Emily looked very becoming as a young Victorian lady with a parasol against the backdrop of Llandudno seafront. There was also a range of Victorian toys and a mock up of a school room to explore in the upstairs rooms of the castle.

Bodelwyddan Castle turned out to be a real gem. I wish we had had more time to stay and explore for longer, and we will definitely be back if we are ever in the area again.